faith

DEAR GOD: My Solitude Is In Prayer With You~

by // // No Comments

What Is the Prayer of Abandonment, and Is it Biblical?

But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. – Luke 5:16 (ESV)

Solitude and Prayer in Desolate Places

In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter a profound yet simple verse that speaks volumes about the spiritual life of Jesus: “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” This statement, though brief, offers a window into the rhythm of Jesus’ life and the priority He placed on communion with the Father.

The Need for Solitude

The desolate places represent a physical and metaphorical space where one can be alone, away from the noise and demands of the world. For Jesus, these moments of solitude were not mere escapes but intentional periods for reflection, renewal, and intimate conversation with God. In the stillness of these places, free from distractions, Jesus found strength and guidance for His ministry.

The Act of Prayer

Prayer, as demonstrated by Jesus, is the lifeline of a spiritual journey. It is the act of opening one’s heart to divine influence, seeking wisdom, and expressing one’s deepest concerns and desires. Through prayer, Jesus aligned His will with that of the Father, drawing on the source of all power and love.

The Moral Questions

  • How do we prioritize our spiritual well-being in the midst of life’s busyness?
  • What role does solitude play in our relationship with the divine?
  • Are we willing to withdraw from our comfort zones to seek a deeper connection with God?

I am sure Jesus’ words as He told us to go and pray echoes the sentiment of many of the faithful seeking solitude for spiritual nourishment. In the midst of life’s busyness, finding time for solitude and prayer can bring peace to our hearts and clarity to our minds. Just as Jesus went off to pray to the Father -we can draw strength from Jesus’ words, and His discipline to seek the Father in prayer-and from these quiet moments to live our lives with greater purpose and compassion. Have you sought Him in solitude today?

“Dear Heavenly Father, In the quiet of this moment, I seek Your Presence. Lead me to the desolate places where I can hear Your voice. Amidst the chaos of life, grant me the courage to withdraw and pray. May my spirit find rest in You, and my will align with Yours, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

In contemplating the example of Jesus, we are invited to examine our own lives and consider the place of solitude and prayer in our spiritual walk. The desolate places are not just geographical locations but states of heart where we can meet God, undisturbed and attentive. May we find our desolate place, and there, pray.

DEAR GOD: Refine & Purify Me With Your Love

by // // No Comments

 

Click Here to read “Refined by God’s Fire & Purified in Christ” # ...

 

“But He knows the way I take;
When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
“My foot has held fast to His path;
I have kept His way and not turned aside.
“I have not departed from the command of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food-
Job 23:10-12

The Refiner’s Fire

In the heart of suffering and despair, the Book of Job offers a profound narrative on the human condition, the mystery of divine providence, and the resilience of faith. Job 23:10-12 stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of a man beset by inexplicable tragedy, yet still able to declare, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

The Context of Suffering

Job’s suffering is universal, transcending time and culture. His losses are immense, his pain palpable. In his lament, he expresses a deep desire to confront God, to present his case and be heard. Yet, in these verses, there is a shift from questioning to a quiet confidence in God’s omniscience and the ultimate purpose of his trials.

The Assurance of Divine Knowledge

“But he knows the way that I take…” Here, Job acknowledges that despite his confusion and the seeming absence of God, there is an all-seeing eye that understands his journey. This is not a passive awareness but an intimate knowledge of Job’s integrity and the path he walks. It is a recognition that God is not indifferent to his plight.

The Purification Through Trials

“When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” The imagery of refinement through fire is powerful. Gold, with its inherent value and luster, must be purified to reach its full potential. Job likens his trials to this process, suggesting that suffering has a purifying effect on the soul, burning away the dross to reveal a character that is resilient and pure.

The Steadfastness in Faith

Job’s declaration is not one of resignation but of steadfastness. He has “held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.” In the midst of trials, Job has clung to the ways of God, treasuring His words more than his necessary food. This is the essence of faith – a commitment to God’s will, even when the path is shrouded in darkness.

The Moral: Integrity in Adversity

The moral of these verses is clear: integrity must be maintained, even in the face of adversity. Job’s example challenges us to consider our own responses to suffering. Do we falter, or do we, like Job, emerge from our trials as gold, refined and more precious for having been tested?

Reflective Questions

  1. How does Job’s confidence in God’s knowledge of his path influence our understanding of divine providence?
  2. In what ways can suffering serve as a refiner’s fire in our own lives?
  3. What does it mean to hold fast to God’s steps, and how can we apply this principle during our own trials?

The Moral

Let us take from Job’s story the courage to face our trials with integrity, trusting that the Almighty Refiner is at work, crafting something beautiful from the raw ore of our lives. May we, too, come forth as gold, shining with the brilliance of a faith tested and true.

“Dear Heavenly Father, In the crucible of life’s trials, may I find solace in Your sovereign knowledge. Grant me the grace to trust in Your refining process, that I may emerge as gold, reflecting Your glory. Help me to hold fast to Your ways, treasuring Your word above all else. May trials reveal the purity of my faith and the depth of integrity. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, it is I pray, Amen.”

 May this post reflect the importance of faith as we reflect upon Job’s trials and tribulation, and may it be a force of our Christianity and trust in the LORD as we go through life…

DEAR GOD: You Are My Shepherd – Forever~

by // // No Comments

Image result for free pictures of psalm 23

Psalm 23, often called “The Lord is My Shepherd,” is one of the most cherished passages in the Bible, offering comfort and hope to believers throughout the ages. Its verses paint a serene picture of God’s guidance, provision, and protection, akin to a shepherd’s care for his sheep.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) This opening line establishes a profound trust in God’s provision. Christians see this as a declaration of God’s sufficiency in all aspects of life. Just as a shepherd meets the needs of his flock, so does God meet the needs of His people.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” (Psalm 23:2) Here, the psalmist describes a place of rest and refreshment, symbolizing the spiritual peace and rejuvenation that God provides. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest, echoing the sentiment of this verse.

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3) God’s restoration is likened to a renewal of strength and spirit. The “paths of righteousness” reflect a life lived in accordance with God’s will, guided by His truth as revealed in the Bible.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) Christians find solace in this verse, especially in times of trouble or grief. It speaks of God’s presence and protection in life’s darkest moments. The “rod and staff” are symbols of a shepherd’s tools, representing discipline and support.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5) This imagery suggests honor and abundance, even amidst adversity. The anointing oil signifies blessing and being chosen by God, as kings were anointed in the Old Testament.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6) The psalm concludes with a confident expectation of God’s continual blessings and the ultimate hope of eternal life with Him, as promised in John 14:2-3, where Jesus speaks of preparing a place for His followers.

For Christians, Psalm 23 encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith: trust in God’s care, the peace that comes from His presence, guidance in living a righteous life, comfort in times of fear, the assurance of God’s blessings, and the hope of eternal life.

“Dear Heavenly Father, You are our Shepherd, and in Your care, we lack nothing. Lead us to the green pastures of Your grace and the still waters of Your peace. Restore our souls and guide us in righteousness. Even as we walk through challenging times, let us feel Your presence and find comfort in Your protection.  Bless us, Lord, and let Your goodness and mercy accompany us every day of our lives, until we dwell in Your house forever. Amen. ”

The Lord’s my Shepherd – Stuart Townend [with lyrics] (youtube.com)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

Psalm 23 –

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
   He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

DEAR GOD: I Am Yours – I Surrender~

by // // No Comments

Surrendering To God - YouTube

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 NLT

 

Surrendering to God fully is a challenging but rewarding decision that every Christian should make. It means giving up our own will, plans, and preferences, and letting God have His way in every aspect of our lives.

It means trusting that God knows what is best for us, and that He will work all things together for our good. It means obeying His commands, following His guidance, and seeking His glory.

It means relying on His grace, power, and love, and not on our own strength, wisdom, or resources. It means living for Him, and not for ourselves.

One of the reasons we should surrender to God fully is that He is our Creator and He knows us better than we know ourselves. He has a perfect plan for our lives, and He wants to bless us and give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 55:8-9)

Another reason we should surrender to God fully is that He loves us unconditionally and He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins. He offers us forgiveness, grace, and salvation through faith in Christ. He also gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us, comfort us, and empower us. (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 8:1-2, John 14:26)

A third reason we should surrender to God fully is that He is faithful and trustworthy. He never changes, He never lies, and He never fails. He keeps His promises and He works all things together for our good. He is our refuge, our strength, and our help in times of trouble. (Hebrews 13:8, Numbers 23:19, Romans 8:28, Psalm 46:1-3)

A fourth reason we should surrender to God fully is that He is worthy of our worship and obedience. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is holy, righteous, and majestic. He deserves our praise, our gratitude, and our service. He commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. (Revelation 19:16, Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 145:3, Mark 12:30-31)

These are just some very strong examples of the verses that support the idea of surrendering to God fully. There are so many more in the Bible – if you take the time to read it, and get to know the Father and His love.

I hope they help you understand and appreciate the benefits and blessings of living a surrendered life. 😊

When we surrender to the One and only Master and King of kings and LORD of lords – our lives can be rewarding and fulfilling on every level, inside and out.

God is our weapon of defense in this ugly world of darkness. His light will extinguish the fiery darts the enemy throws our way. His ways and His love are a constant guiding force and sanctuary for us and all we do.

Have you picked up your Bible today? Have you spoken with the LORD today? Remember this, “He is always there and always waiting for YOU!”

“Father, thank You for this day in time, for Your love and guidance, for Your unwavering love and faith in me, I am Yours fully, forever and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Your Word Is Hidden In My Heart~

by // // No Comments

Message: “Hidden In My Heart” from Pastor Steve Wells – North Pointe ...

Psalm 119:11 -I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11, is one of the many verses in the Bible that emphasize the importance of hiding God’s word in the heart. It means that by memorizing and meditating on God’s word, we can resist the temptation to sin and obey God’s will. When we do so we are reassured and confident in His love and promises that we are able to sustain and stand in conflict, dark days and all the rest in between moments of our lives. He is the source of all in which our life sustainability flows. His love is the tower in which we are able to stand over all adversities that befall us in any given day, at any given moment in time.

Deuteronomy 6:6: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.”

When we live with His commandments in our hearts, we are able to seemingly flow through life with the ability and agility of a mountain goat that’s able to climb without incident.  We are able to stand firm in His love and His promises to each of us.

Colossians 3:16: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

When Christ message fills within our heart and soul, we can attain all which He gives us to do. We can handle adversity with aplomb, and we can almost leap over tall buildings as Superman could! We can accomplish things that seem to be a Herculean task at any other time, but with His power and commandments and love – we are able to do things with ease.

Joshua 1:8: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Keeping His Word firmly within our heart and soul, and meditating on it – and keeping it on our lips – we are able to sow roots of peace, and interact with those who do NOT know Christ or His love. We are able to encourage others with His Word, as it readily springs to our lips, due to our diligence and meditation on His Word.

My own original thoughts on these verses are that they show how God’s word is not only a source of information, but also a source of transformation.

By hiding God’s word in our hearts, we can change our thoughts, attitudes, and actions to align with God’s purposes.

God’s word can also give and provide us comfort, guidance, and hope in times of trouble. I think these verses are very relevant and practical for us today, as we face many challenges and temptations in our lives.

“Father, thank You for Your Word, Your love, and direction in all I do and say, with You I can attain anything You set out before me to accomplish, with You the darkness will be overcome with Your light, and the hatred in this world will be snuffed out by Your love, in Jesus name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: You Heal Our Broken Hearts~

by // // No Comments

Healing for a broken heart – Rejoice in Him

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” –Matthew 5:41

 Grief is a journey that winds through the valley of despair, climbs the mountains of sorrow, and sometimes finds rest in the meadows of memory. It is a deeply personal and profound experience, unique to each individual, yet universally understood. The act of grieving, of allowing tears to flow for a loved one lost, is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the depth of our love.

In the sacred texts, we find solace and understanding. The scriptures speak to the heart of our pain, offering both comfort and permission to grieve. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes. This assurance is a gentle reminder that our sorrow is seen, our tears are known, and our pain is acknowledged by a compassionate God.

The Psalms, too, are rich with the language of lament. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit,” the Psalmist writes, giving voice to our inner turmoil. In these ancient songs, we find a God who is not distant or disinterested but intimately acquainted with our grief.

As we navigate the tumultuous seas of loss, we may find ourselves questioning the purpose of our pain. Yet, even here, the scriptures offer wisdom. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away,” we read in Revelation. This vision of a future without suffering gives us hope that our grief is not in vain, that it leads us somewhere—a place of healing and wholeness.

In the midst of our grief, we are not alone. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, both seen and unseen, who have walked this path before us. They remind us that to grieve is human, to cry is to honor the love we carry, and to mourn is to move towards healing.

Let us not rush through our grief, nor demand of ourselves a premature composure. Instead, let us grieve fully and deeply, as deeply as we loved. For in our tears, we find a sacred space where the heart can begin to heal, and the soul can start to mend.

 “Heavenly Father, In the quiet sanctuaries of our hearts, we come before You with tears that speak more eloquently than words. You, who collect all our tears in Your bottle, understand the language of our weeping. In our grief, grant us the grace to mourn, the strength to endure, and the hope of Your eternal comfort. May we feel Your presence in our sorrow and find peace in Your promises. Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Help Me To Walk In Spirit~

by // // No Comments

Walking In The Spirit - Part 1 - CrossBridge Community Church

Living life according to the Spirit is a process and a journey. There are so many great verses throughout the Bible that discuss being and walking in the Spirit, Romans 8 – may perhaps be one of the most insightful. Walking in the Spirit promotes general well-being. Even when things are bleak and you might be hindered by circumstances, situations, individuals, or events that transpired in your life-being led by the Holy Spirit will bring about ways in which you not only can and will cope, but will survive all things in life.

Walk in the Spirit (Romans 8:4)

There truly isn’t any shortcut to learning about “how to walk by the Spirit.” Life in the Spirit is trying to live according to God’s law and fundamentally do the right thing. But it’s much more than that. Walking in the Spirit is what it means to live as a Christian-some might say it’s like a light went off -and that light is Jesus Christ.

Set your minds on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5)
The question becomes sort of an old riddle: “How can someone extract all of the air out from a drinking glass? – The answer-fill it with something else!

So how do we overcome and pull away from our flesh and our mortal carnal ways, thoughts, actions? Well similar to the riddle, you need to “fill up on good things, godly things, clean things, an entirely different mindset that is strictly oriented toward the things of the Sprit-(Galatians 5:22–23)

We can’t extract thoughts that are displeasing to God from our minds. So, we have to “fill up on all good things.” When we put to the death the deeds of our body by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13) Life becomes engaging in the most beautiful ways. We get to view, act upon and develop into who we are supposed to be, according to the LORD, and we are then able to serve Him in all kinds of capacities. We are then actively involved with being “one body in Christ.”

Pray in the Spirit.  (Romans 8:26–27)
We are unsure at times what we need or how to ask for help. We are shown that the Holy Spirit will make known by intercessory prayers to the Father, by groanings from within. Overall outcome and result is that our prayers will be answered according to the will of God, because the Spirit is moving us to pray thusly, and in fact presenting our prayer to the Father, and guiding us all the way through!

Eventually walking, acting and presenting in the Spirit to all those we encounter will become part of whom we are.In fact, it is who we are! We are one body in Christ. Believers have His Spirit within. And we can accomplish so much more when we do things in the Spirit, as we are intended to do. The Bible has so many more rich verses pertaining to this in both OT and NT. We just have to open His book and read and commune with Him.  And doing all this- will in fact, make our life a life worth LIVING!

“LORD, help guide and direct me along the highway of life, show me the paths in which I should walk, teach me the gentleness of Your Spirit, help me to walk elegantly and majestically in the Spirit as You have, open my eyes, ears heart and soul to be more like Jesus’ Spirit each day of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

 

 

 

 

DEAR GOD: I Will Always Follow Your Doctrine~

by // // 2 Comments

Doctrine - Living Hope Bible Church

The book of Galatians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the churches in Galatia. In this letter, Paul addresses the issue of false teachings that had infiltrated the church. The false teachings were coming from a group of people known as Judaizers, who were trying to convince the Galatians that they needed to follow Jewish customs and laws in order to be saved. Paul refutes this idea and emphasizes that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

In Galatians 1:6-10, Paul expresses his concern that the Galatians are abandoning Jesus’ grace and turning to a different gospel – a false gospel. He doesn’t mince words when it comes to Judaizers coming in and undermining the work he has done in Galatia. Paul feels so strongly about the good news that has been preached to the Galatians that he calls down a curse upon anyone who would dare to proffer an alternative gospel.

In Galatians 2:4, Paul talks about false brothers who had come in under false pretenses to spy on their freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave them. Paul emphasizes that there is no room for a gospel that strays from the grace of Christ.

This warning still applies to this very day in time. Those that are following another gospel are in danger of losing their salvation bought and paid for by Jesus Christ. They are tampering with their existence and eternal life. The good news is it’s never too late. When we accept and willingly follow Jesus and His doctrine, and commandments we are fulfilling our roles as Christians. We are inherently moving onto a path of righteousness that is a gift from above (James 1:17) and we are acknowledging Him as our LORD and Savior.

Jesus is the way to LIFE.

Jesus is the way to FREEDOM.

Jesus is the way to SALVATION.

JESUS is the way for EVERYTHING.

Do you follow Jesus? When you do things will become easier to navigate as He will guide you through it all, both good and bad times.

Galatians 2:16: “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

Galatians 3:10-11: “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”

Galatians 5:1: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Galatians 5:4-6: “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”

The above verses show that Paul was adamant that the Galatians should not be deceived by the false teachers who were trying to impose the law on them. He wanted them to understand that they were saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, and that nothing else mattered.

Remember Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 saying to preach His gospel and “… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Gospel Christ tells us to teach is His- none other! And ignoring His commandments can prove detrimental to your soul.

Obeying it and following Him and accepting Him as your LORD and Savior, quite the contrary.

Your blessings will overflow, and your soul will not be in danger of the second death–no–instead it will live forever!

“Father, thank You for Your Word and Your promises, may I do all to promote Your Word, in my actions, thoughts, behavior, and heart, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: Great Is Thy Faithfulness~

by // // 2 Comments

24: Experiencing God’s Faithfulness - Linda Breitman

2 Thessalonians 3:3: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”

This verse reminds us that God is always faithful to his people, even when they face trials and temptations. He will strengthen them and protect them from the enemy’s schemes. When we realize the scope and depth of His love for us -His children, we can literally become overwhelmed by how spectacular He really is.

He brings us through all things and guides us in every scenario of our lives. When we follow Him and read His Word, we see a consistency of true love and a platitude of peace and wisdom will cover us from above.

There isn’t anything that we are going through that hasn’t happened in some way or form to another, and He will never give us more than we can handle, and always—I mean ALWAYS bring us through it and show us a way out. That is our Amazing faithful God!

Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

This verse expresses the hope and gratitude of the prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. He acknowledges that God’s love and mercy are constant and renewed every day, and that his faithfulness is great even in the midst of suffering. His mercy and tenderness towards us is everlasting and He doesn’t push us away. We on the other hand might push Him away, but He will never go far. He is always right close by waiting for us to “call out to Him” trusting Him in all we do and say. He is never far away. He is close to us and holds us up during trials, and our tears, and celebrates with us during good times. That is our amazing and faithful God!

With each day in front of us – we should acknowledge Him in all we do, give thanks in everything we do, and love Him with each breath we take. He is the reason we are still breathing this very moment. He is the reason for our blessings. He is the reason for the big and small moments in life. And most important, His promises and grace are forever, and our rewards will be plentiful in the eternity when we are called home.  If, we align with His Word, His will, His commandments, and His timing.

Have you read His Word today? Have you acknowledged Him, and just pushed away from the world to say, “Thank You Father, for all You are, and all You continue to be, I adore You, need You, want to please You, surrender to Your will and purpose for my life, I love You immensely, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you take the time to pray that to Him and really mean it…you will make His day.

Amen and God Bless~

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEAR GOD: My Faithful God-You Have My Heart~

by // // No Comments

Faithful God - YouTube

Revelation 22:12- “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”

When a Christian is totally connected with the LORD many things begin to become transparent on their journey. There is a “lighter” feeling inwardly and a self-confidence begins to soar where it ordinarily wouldn’t have before their journey with God.

As we read His Word and begin to incorporate His commandments and His doctrine into our way of living, things have a way of “opening” up in a seemingly easy manner, as opposed to not being a believer.

Matthew 16:27 -For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.

How do I know this? Where do I get such information?  From firsthand experience in life!  Having worked in the Medical/Social Services field mainly in the Nursing Home Industry as Director of these facilities, I have witnessed many bedside “deaths.”  And I can assure you this, as my personal in-depth analysis…those who believed in God and had an intimate and close relationship with Christ died a peaceful death, compared to those who did not know God.

Hebrews 10:35 -Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

For one thing those who knew and followed God… they weren’t fearful, and they were at “peace” with knowing where they were going once, they left this earth. They were anxious to meet God and happy to know their days in pain and anguish were almost over. Even those who aged naturally without painful maladies or diseases, they were looking forward to “collecting their crown” along with the LORD’s promises and rewards in Heaven.

Matthew 5:12- Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

They also shared another very common characteristic; they had a calm demeanor/countenance that was very welcoming to all those they encountered. They never spoke harshly about others, held no malice towards any particular person or place, and offered words of love about God and Jesus’ Gospel. Plus, they had a “real inner light” that glowed when you spoke to each of these individuals. You know why that is? Because God had their heart in His hands…they gave it willingly…and they loved Him openly.

Isaiah 40:10 -Behold, the Lord God will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him And His recompense before Him.

It all comes down to commitment and love for God. When we apply the character of Christ into what we do, where we go, who we speak with, and our personal choices. The choices we make in this lifetime follow us into the next!  It’s that simple—really.

Does your light shine when you meet others? Do you have a peaceful demeanor/countenance? Do you believe in the LORD and His Word, promises and His love? I tell you this my brothers and sisters, it makes all the difference in this world, and it will make ALL the difference in the NEXT world.

Luke 6:23 -Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

“Father God, may I choose You in all I do, say and go, may I be ever faithful to You night and day, all the days of my life, here on earth and into the eternity, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”